Master of Ceremonies

Annie Coetzee started acting as Master of Ceremonies in 1999 when the Creativity Foundation of South Africa approached her to MC their 5th Annual International Creativity Conference. As a founding member of the Foundation with Dr Kobus Neethling, the President of the Creativity Foundation, he knew Annie’s worth as a Creativity Consultant and Human Intelligence Specialist. Since then she has acted regularly as MC during both national and international conferences with experts from the World Stage as Key-Note Speaker – whether they are packed with morning presentations, afternoon seminars and evening Key-Note deliveries, she weaves them together with style, wisdom and creativity. (See feedback at the end of this page.)

Annie joined Toastmasters International in 1994 and since then completed a full ten years of training on Communication and Leadership. With Toastmasters International she has been awarded a number of Awards and Achievements. For example: ‘Communicator of the Year.’ in Brooklyn, Pretoria in 2004 and ‘The Beyonder’ award in 2013 at the International Creativity Conference in SA.

Being a Creativity Consultant and Life Coach has enabled her to develop her own style of hosting a Conference – whether this be a One-Day event, One-Evening Event, or a Four-Day Conference.

Acting as Master of Ceremonies requires more than knowing the Program.

Annie has learned to flow with the program and the speakers and create an atmosphere that is pleasant as well as prompt.

Many participants of National and International Conferences believe that Annie has perfected the ‘ART of story-telling’ by the way she introduces Speakers, and that, within the limited 60 seconds before the Speaker appears on stage. Annie’s outstanding performances as a Master of Ceremonies have created an International Platform for her and since July 2007 she has been a regular MC for Conferences nationwide and also abroad.

In South Africa, she is now a favorite to host Award Functions for a number of National Companies. Positive feedback about her presence on stage, as well as how she ‘turns a FUNCTION into a Celebration’ include companies such as TUV Rheinland Inspection Services, Necsa, Nissan Diesel and Sanlam.

The following feedback about Annie’s style to MC a Conference or Function has been received lately and there are more praise statements on the LinkedIn Site.

Annie managed a group of business persons excellently and was particularly outstanding with the way she managed the ‘ordinary’ tasks of leading on stage.’ Henk van der Veen: Capital City Business Chamber

Annie has surprised all of us on an end-of-the-year function in Brooklyn, Pretoria. Mensa’s members were captured and enjoyed her style of engagement!’ Reyaan Uys – President Pretoria Chapter – MENSA Organization.

When a Master of Ceremonies has to include inspiration to her task during a Function that may turn out to be sad and perhaps negative, one needs someone like Annie. She had more than 400 cancer survivors motivated and inspired to always keep reaching and live the life of a conquering survivor. Brilliant on stage! Annie can handle any ‘disaster’ when it happens!’ Maritha Koortzen – Reach for Recovery Organization.

Annie is comfortable in front of an audience and also off stage.’ A superb MC.’ Bill Costa – Creative Problem Solving Institute – Buffalo – USA

She certainly pulled the Conference together and kept it on track without being too strict. She adapted when necessary and made each speaker feel like a million dollars.’ Dr. Alan Black: Cre8ng People, Places & Possibilities, Athens, USA

She is world class and established an atmosphere of stability, combined with FUN. Annie is the best MC I have ever seen! Cute, Humorous, Inventive, Smiling, Hearty… Just one ball of wonder! A great stage manager!’ Dr. Andrei Aleinikov: Mega Mind Institute – Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Annie is humorous and inventive during moments of uncertainty. All the delegates enjoyed her fluency and clear management of the stage.’ Olwen Wolfe: Worlding Services – Paris, France

Thank you, Annie – You perfected the art of MC-ing an International Conference. I loved the way you brought creativity into every announcement and/or introduction of a Speaker. Thank you for not reading announcements! You came prepared and I value you for that!’ Dr. Kobus Neethling: Creativity Foundation of SA – President

Dr. Joel Goodman, Director of the ‘Humour Project’ in NY, USA joked with Annie when he suggested that she ‘travels with him’ wherever he goes, because of the way she prepared the audience for him. Dr. Joel Goodman: Key-Note Speaker on Humour and Creativity.

The Conference on a Friday afternoon turned out to be a celebration thanks to you! Amanda Steyn: BKS Group (PTY) Ltd.

Annie is passionate, positive and a spirited communicator. Anton Musgrave: Joint CEO and Co-Owner of Future World (PTY) Ltd.

Annie is a great Master of Ceremonies, with an enthusiastic and warm personality and is extremely passionate about her delivery. She presented at our Annual International conference and was extremely well received. She is a GIVER! Robin Probart: President of the American Society for Training and Development.